Crystal Cruises has secured financing for two of the three vessels on order, each intended to carry approximately 650 passengers at around 61,800 gross tons, all suites with private verandas.
The transaction was supported by an export credit facility backed by Italy’s SACE and led by a consortium of lenders including Citibank London, Banco Santander, CaixaBank UK, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Credit Agricole, Monte dei Paschi, and Bper, with legal and structural assistance from Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and Simest.
Construction on the first vessel has remained on schedule through the 3-decade partnership with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, following a memorandum of agreement signed a year ago for two ships, with an option taken last November for a third unit, scheduled for delivery in 2032.
The first of these vessels is expected in May 2028, with the second to follow in 2030.
Each vessels is designed with a promenade deck encompassing its perimeter and will feature a range of culinary venues, including Umi Uma (Crystal’s exclusive Nobu-branded restaurant at sea) and Beefbar.
These mega-yachts are also expected to carry one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios in the luxury cruise segment, offering accommodations tailored to solo travelers alongside traditional stateroom formats.
Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, executive chairman of A&K Travel Group (Crystal's parent company), described the funding as evidence of confidence in the company’s strategic direction.
Cristina Levis, the group’s CEO, acknowledged the critical support from Italian finance bodies and SACE.
A&K Travel Group acquired Crystal’s assets in 2022 after its prior owner halted operations. The line returned to service in 2023 and is now reasserting its footprint in luxury ocean cruising. The newly financed vessels will join the fleet alongside the existing sisters, poised to reinforce Crystal’s position in ultra-luxury travel by mid-2028.